Yarn-changing mechanism



YARN CHANGING MECHANI SM original Filed Jan. 2o, 192s 4 sheets-sheet 1 Jne 24, 1930. w F, RQLSTQN 1,767,480

YARN CHANGING MEGHANISM original. Filed Jamzo, 1926 4 sheets-sheet Hume 24, 1930. w. F. RoLsToN 3357943@ YARN CHANGING MEcHANIsm Original Filed Jan. 20, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 24, 1930. w. F. RoLsToN 1,767,480

YARN CHANGING MECHANISM y yOriginal Filed Jan. 20, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented `lune 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER F. noLs'rON, OF ROOKFORDQILLINOIS, ASSIeNOn, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, `OE ONE-HALF To BUnsoN KNITTING COMPANY, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A `ooRronA'rrolv OF ILLINOIS YARN-CHANGING MECHANISM Application led .Tanuary 20, 1926, Serial No. 82,388. Renewed October 17, 1929..

This invention relates to straight knitting machines and has more particular reference `to mechanism for guiding the active yarn yarn carrier supporting and guiding structure characterized in the preferred embodi- .needles Of both beds.

ment by a stationary yarn-carrier guide or rail poistioned above the needle beds and providing exceptionally rigid, broad bearing surfaces on which to support and guide the active yarn-carrier. Through this yarncarrier mounting, which will be more fully described hereinafter, the distributor eye and plow latch openers of the yarn-carrier are maintained with extreme accuracy in the proper proximity and relationship to they By reason of absolute accuracy in travel of the yarn-carrier I am enabled to guide both the distributor eye and the points of the latch openersl closer to the needles, thus allowing the use of needles with finer hooks or of smaller dimensions generally, and consequently tosecure a finer `quality of knitting. Also there is less wear because of the nature of the yarncarrier mounting, and cause for breakage is reduced to a minimum.

Another advantage of this phase of my invention is that I am enabled to employ a simplified transfer device having supplemental yarn-carr'ier'rails, one for each yarncarrier, adapted to be moved respectively into alignment with the stationary rail and to facilitate the movement of any yarn-carrier back and `forth upon and between the supplemental and stationary rails. Still another advantage is that the end of the stationary rail adjacent to the transferQdevice may overhang or extend. beyondthe needle be such an extent as 4to provide a full These im! mountingV for the yarn-carrier .before it starts to function, thus insuringagainst any v disali nment tendencies or difficulties at the trans er or during the initial functioning Of the` yarn-carrier. a

A further Object of my invention has to do with the use of a plurality of yarn-car- /iers having yarns. differing in material, weight, color or quality, and particularly in the knitting ofa sutured fabric. While my vinvention is applicable tothe knitting of any sutured fabric or of any fabric knit with different yarns in a cycle similar to that employed in knitting a sutured fabric, it is herein adapted to the knitting of a so-called split sole stocking in which a suture Occurs between the Asole which is knit with one kind of yarn and the top portion of the foot which is knit with another yarn. vIt is also especially applicable to the knitting of the high splice above the heel, this being a suture knitting, preferably with a yarn different from that .employed in knitting the sole portion. My invention aimsto improve the means for transferring the yarns so that the desired yarns may be employed at different stages in the knitting; also the means for holding the yarns from the inactive yarn-carriers so that they will not interfere with the active yarn-carrier. In this regard I have further aimed to provide improved means for holding, out Of the throat of the machine afyarn emanating from the suture point in the knitting and extending to `the transfer head or end of the machine While another yarn is in action. It is desired to hold or retain a yarn of thiskind at eitherside of the machine. Thisv is particularly advantageous in that/it allows the use of three different yarns in knitting a sutured fabric,-

one yarn being used nat different times in the knitting alternating with each of the,

other yarns. This functioning might, however, be carried into numerous combinations to secure `multi-color` effects or different combinations of yarns in a suturedv fabric, all of which will be apparent. from the following disclosure.

Still another Object is to provide a simplified and improved mechanism which will ico be thoroughly practical for the purposes intended.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with l the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, is a vertical cross-sectional view through the bed of a straight knitting machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2, is a fragmentary vertical section longitudinally through the machine taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing in elevation the transfer device and yarn-carrier guide and parts associated therewith;

Fig. 3, is a fragmentary plan view of the needle beds at the transfer end of the machine; f

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5, is a plan section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6, is a vertical transverse section aken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7, is a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8, is a vertical transverse section similar to Fig. 4 showing the transfer carriage indexed one position in a clockwise direction;

Fi 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the opposed beds of needles and the yarn-retaining elements used in suture knitting; and

Fig. 10, 1s a view of a split sole stockingadapted to be knit with the mechanism disclosed herein.

- General construction In the present case I have, for purpose of illustration merely, shown my improvements as applied to a straight knitting machine having opposed beds of needles and more particularly to one forming thesubject matter of certain of myxco-pending applications. For example, the particular bed structure and needle-operating mechanism shown herein is the subject of my application Serial No. 76,142 filed December 18, 1925; and the transfer device in certain respects is part of my application Serial No. 681,989, filed December 21, 1923. It should be expresslyunderstood, however, that my present improvements are in no way confined to use with the inventions disclosed and claimed in said'y applications. It should be understood, therefore, that those parts and devices disclosed herein not directly claimed or essential to the present invention, are intended merely for purpose of clarity in illustrating the present improvements.

described. The bed plates 11 and 12` carry opposed beds of needles in the angular relation shown defining a throat, whlch is well known in straight knitting machines. On each bed plate is carried a series of spaced division plates 13 between which are mounted needle supports 14, needles 15, needle jacks 16, jack housings 17, and pattern levers 18. The needles are held down on their supports by filler springs 19 which in turn are retained in position by a sinker bed 21. The sinkers 22 are of the usual construction retained in position by a sinker cap 23. rlhev sinker cam bar 24 and the needle cam bar slide 25 are adapted to be reciprocated for advancing and retracting the sinkers and needles. The pattern levers 18 are adaptedV to be actuated by pattern cylinders 26 for throwing the needles into and out of action as, explained in my application first above-mentioned. The bed plates 11 and 12 are supported at each end or in any suitable manner by a frame structure one end 27 of which is shown in Fig. 2.

Yarra carrier gel/d'6 and guide the yarn-carriers. Said rail should be accurately located and rigidly supported with respect to the needle beds, this being accomplished, in the present instance, by a plurality of brackets 29 fixedly attached to one side of the rail and at. their opposite ends fixed to the bed structure, these brackets being arched as shown in Fig. 1 to clear the parts below and being suitably spaced longitudinally of the bed to give proper support to the rail (only one bracket being shown in this instance).

In the preferred embodiment of my invention only a single yarn-carrier is in action at one time, the remaining yarn-carriers being held on the transfer carriage which will be presently described. These yarn-carriers being identical in construction a description of one will suflice. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the yarn-carrier proper designated generally by 81 is of the usual construction including the yarn distributor eye 32 and plow latch openers 83. The sides 34 of the yarn-carrier proper are turned up and fxedly attached through the agency of a coupling connection 35 to a slide block 36 tted to slide on three faces of the stationary'rail 28. Bearing plates or gibs 37 and 38 engage the fourth side of the rail 28 and are attached to the block 36 so as to retain the latter on the rail without interference with the rail-supporting brackets 29, the bearing plate 38 being yieldingly held in position by springs 39 so as to impose a slight friction between the slide 36 and'the rail and to insure proper seating of the slide on the rail. v i

The yarn-carrier 'slide is adapted to be reciprocated on the rail by means of a pushand-pull nger 41 adjustably attached to a driver head 42 mounted to slide on the rail 28 in a manner similar to the slide 36, except that a spring tension between the head and rail is not .necessar The driver head is in turn adapted to' 'e reciprocated through the agency of a link 43 cnneted to the usual rocking lever (not shown) such as described in my applicationSerial No. 76,142 above mentioned or any suitable means forl imparting reciprocating motion. The finger` 41 has a downturned end 44 adapted to have pushing contact against an' upstanding abutment 46 both attached to the yarn-carrier slide 36 in spaced relation so as to allow a lost-motion connection between thedriver head and slide. The driver head 42 will be reciprocated by the means described in my said pending application for moving the slide 36 from the rail 28 onto a supplemental rail 61 described hereinafter. Said supplemental rail 61, part of a transfer mechanism also described later, is adapted to be shifted laterally to move its yarn carrier out of registration with the rail 28 and position another supplemental rail with its'yarn carrier in registration'with said rail 28 so that the latter yarn carrier may be moved onto said rail andinto action by the forward movement of the driver head 42. The lostmotion connection. referred to allows for this change of yarncarrier without interruption of the regular reciprocation ofthe driver. head, the 'change being made, of course, at the transfer end of the stroke.

v.It-'will be observed that the end 47 of the rail 28 extends beyond the adjacent end of l tage in that there is no danger or tendency for the yarn-carrier to be gsplaced by reason of the transferring acti or of disalignment conditions incidental/ t) its mounting.

With the foregoing construction the yarn-l carrier is so mounted and supportedthat its distributor eye will lay the yarn with extreme precision in the hooks of the needles and there is no danger or tendency for dis.- placement either laterally or vertically.. Likewisethe plow latch. openers are guided with extreme accuracy and may be positioned in closer proximity to the needles so as to improve their functioning without, however, danger of striking and breaking latches or failing to function by reason of displacement from such predetermined position.

This phase of my invention relating to a single yarn-carrier guide rail in combination.. with plural yarn-carrier rails of a transfer device, and related features, is claimed in a divisional application, Ser. No. 310,963, filed October 8, 1928.

Transfer device The transfer device properdisclosed herein is an improvement on that disclosed in my second above-mentioned application and reference may be had to the latter which discloses mechanism for shifting the transfer carriage 0in step-by-step movements to perform the transfer operations. The mechanism referred tois adapted to move the translating bar 48 (Figs. 2 and 7) vertically in denite strokes either up or down, each stroke being for the purpose of shifting the transfer carriage one position for effecting a transfer operation which may or may not transfer a yarn-carrier according to the arrangement of the yarn-carriers. In. this embodiment of my invention the translating bar 48 has a rack 49 meshing with a spur gear 51 fixed to a shaft 52 which in turn is Journaled in a suitable bracket 53 mounted on the frame` 27 and which has fixed thereto a transfer carriage at present in the form of a Wheel designated generally by 54. A brake band 55 embraces a'drum 56 fixed to the shaft 52 as shown in Fig. 7. 'The ends of the brake drum are associated with a stationary lug 57 011 the bracket 53 and connected thereto by a bolt 58 carrying a coiled spring 59 adapted to urge the band against the drum and thus impose friction on the latter so as to instantly stop the transfer carriage after each transfer movement imparted by the bar 48.

The transfer carriage is equipped to carry a plurality, four inthe present instance, of yarn-carriers att cireumferentially spaced points so that by rotative movement of lthe j carriage it will position the vyarn-carriers successively in alignment with the stationary rail 28. To this end I employl preferably a single supplemental rail61 for holdingeach yarn-carrier on the transfer carriage, these supplemental rails being spaced circumferentially about the .transfer carriage as shown in Figs. 4 and 8 and locatedoffset from a radial plane so as to register orabe A positioned in longitudinal alignment with the stationary rail I28 by, rotative movement of the transfer carriage.,v Asshown in Fig.l

2 the transfer carriage is slotted to receive one end of each supplemental rail; and suitable means may be employed for rigidly securing such rail to the carriage. This view also shows each supplemental rail extending into such proximity to the adjacent end of the stationary rail that a yarn-carrier slide may move from one rail onto another in either direction, it being manifest that when fully positioned on its supplemental rail the transfer carriage may be oscillated to withdraw one yarn-carrier from the position in alignment with the stationary rail and locate another yarn-carrier at such position so that it may be moved onto the stationary rail and into action. For convenience the yarn-carrier at the position in alignment with the stationary rail will be referred to hereinafter as the active yarncarrier and those at the other positions spaced around the transfer carriage as the inactive yarn-carriers.

As described in my second above-mentioned application the transfer carriage will be operated to perform the desired transferring operations, that is, to move the different yarn-carriers inpredetermined order to the active position in which the respective yarncarrier may be moved into action by the driver head.

It will be manifest that the purpose of the several yarn-carriers is to carry different yarns so that each may be presented to the needles at the proper times. In the present i machine I employ four yarn-carriers which I have designated and will refer to as Nos. l, Q 3, and 4, this particular number being desired for the knitting of a split sole stocking although as above-mentioned a greater or lesser number of yarn-carriers might be employed on a transfer carriage of this character, or with my invention, according to the particular knitting problem at hand. It is customary to feed the yarn to the yarn-carriers from over head and in Fig. 2 is shown a yarn 62 extending down directly to the No.. 1 yarn-carrier which is in the active position on the stationary rail, and a second yarn 63 extending from its overhead source through` an opening 64 in a guard plate 65, thence through the distributor eye of the No. 3 yarn-carrier, and thence through a holding element (which will be presently described) to the needles.

Yam holding means The purpose of the yarn holding means is to hold the yarns from the inactive yarncarriers out of the path of the active yarncarrier and to so hold and retain the yarns that there will be no tangling or interference thereof with the yarn-carriers or other parts by reason of the transfer operations. This problem presents difficulties especially when one of the yarns to be held emanates from the needle bed at an intermediate point as at a suture point when knitting a split sole stocking, or when three different yarns are used in knitting a sutured fabric of this kind, or when three or more different yarns are used.

In the present embodiment of this phase of my invention I employ a pair of primary holding elements in the form of hooks 66 and 67 disposed beneath the active position of the transfer device, and more particularly at opposite sides of and in close proximity to the path lof the distributor eye 32 of a yarn-carrier located at said active transfer position. The normal location of these holdin@ elements is clearly shown in Figs. l and 5 from which it will be seen that the hooked ends of such elements extend upwardly and inwardly into the path of the depressions at each side of the distributor eye nose and consequently, above the point at which the yarn emanates from said distributor eye, also that said hooked ends are located intermediate the distributor eye (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5)- and the point 68 at which certain yinactive yarns leave the needles. It is apparent that the holding elements 66 and 67 are in the path of the yarns extending between the point v68 and the distributor eye and that when the transfer carriage swings in either direction this yarn will be intercepted and held by either one or the other of said holding elements according to the direction of the transfer movement. Inasmuch as the said holding elements are located at one side of the path of the yarn-carrier distributor eye in the active position the yarn so held will not interfere with the yarn-carrier in said active position. It will also be manifest that the held yarn will be taut from the point it leaves the needles to the respective holding element and thence through its yarn-carrier by reason of the usual or any suitable takeup'device (not shown) employed overhead on the machine for this purpose.

In the present embodiment of my invention the holding elements 66 and 67 are in the nature'of guiding means adapted to engage an unsevered'yarn extending from `the fabric to a yarn carrier in an idle or inactive position for-the purpose ofguiding, retaining or holding this yarn in such position that it will not interfere with the yarn of a yarn-carrier in the active position.

Said holding elements 66 and 67 are mounted so that they 1may be moved away from the normal position just described, preferably to a lowered position out of the path which the yarn describes in an arc by reason of the movement of the particular transfer carriage herein employed. In the present embodiment this is accomplished by iixedly mounting said holding elements 66 and 67 on one end of a lever designated generally by 69 which is pivoted a 71 on 'the bracket 53. Suitable means suc as a spring 72 fixed at one end to the pivot screw 7l and bearing downwardly at 73 on the rear lend of the lever serves to constantly'urge the forward end of the lever upwardly to locate the holding elements 66 and 67 iny the said normal position which is limited by the lever striking an adjustable stop 74 on the bracket 53. j

By rocking` said lever 69 to lower said holding elements the latter will be withdrawn from said arcuate path of the yarn so as to be inactive as regards intercepting any yarn passing laterally thereover during a transfer operation but without releasing any yarn or yarns held by such holding' elements. The purpose of this is to permit one or more predetermined yarns -being transferred to pass said primary holding elements and be intercepted and held by either of a pair of supplemental holding elements 75 and 76 which are suitably mounted, preferably in a fixed` position, in this instance on the end extensions of the 'sinker beds 21 and located substantially in the same transverse plane as the primary holding elements.

Any suitable means may be provided for withdrawing the primary holding elements from their normal position, such for example, as a cam 77 on the transfer carria e 54 adapted for actuating an extension g8 `on the lever 69 for depressing the forward endof said lever. One or more cams of this character might be employed on the transfer carriage for rocking the lever 69 at predetermined times to render the holding elements 66 and 67 operative or inoperative for engaging yarn being transferred at certain times. While this operation of the primary holding elements by movement of the transfer carriage is exceptionally simple and direct and lends itself particularly well to'timing such operation by location of the actuating cam 77 in juxtaposition to the particular yarn carrier whose yarn it is desired not to be engaged by the primary holding elements, nevertheless it should be understood that such holding elements or the equivalent might be automaticallyy operated from any suitable source'. It will be apparent, viewing Fig. 4, that when the primary holding elements are depressed the transferring yarn when swun in either direction in the path indicated iy the arc 79, will be intercepted by either one or the other of the supplemental holdin elements 7 5 and 76 according to the direction of the transfer.

The purpose of the supplemental yarn holding elements which are spaced farther from the centerline or throat of the machine than the primary yarn holding elements is to hold a yarn at the transfer end shown in a position close to` the transfer end of the machine. Said hooked fingers are preferably attached to the driver head 42 and consequently, are mounted to travel on the stationary rail 28 with the same degree of accuracy as the yarn-carrier although separate therefrom. As the driver head travels forward, that is, tothe left viewing Fig. 3,-, the hooked linger 81 will engage the yarn 84 and draw it to the outer side of a yarn-retaining element 85 which at present is in the form of a straight length of wire spaced inwardly from the innerv edge-of the adjacent sinker cap 23 just sufficient to allow a path for the point of the finger 81 and to provide with said edge of the sinker cap a narrow retaining groove for the yarn 84. This wire-retaining element 85; extends lengthwise of the bed from the transfer end to the suture point 83, as clearly shown ink Fig.-a3, and is turned inwardly at said trans-` fer end soas to provide a converging mouth to facilitate entrance of theyarn into said retaining groove. A similar yarn-retaining element 86 is provided on the opposite bed with which the hooked finger 82, which is similar to the finger 81, cooperates, both yretaining elements 85 and 86 being suitably supported in a lixed position as, for example, by short curved arms 90 fixed to the adjacent sinker cap 23. It will be manifest from the foregoing that when a yarn is laid` across the path of either hooked finger 81 or 82 as when such arn is held b either the supplemental hol ing elements g5 or 76 respectively, such yarn will be drawn into the groove behind the respective retaining element 85 or 86, as the case may be, from the transfer end of the machine to the suture point, and will be so held in an outof-the-way or inactive position while the knitting may be carried on with another yarn. An vexample of such knitting will now be given.

Knitting sat1/red fabric tions are exemplified in the knitting of a Isplit sole stocking, which will now be considered, this example being substantially the same as discussed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 681 989, in which the operation and control of a transfer device handling four yarn-carriers is described.

Referring to Fig. 10 and considering the knitting of an entire fashioned, seamless, split sole stocking, the No. 1 yarn-carrier is used for knitting the toe, bottom portion or sole of the foot, and the heel, the yarn being usually of a heavy grade and more durable than that used for the upper portion of the stocking. In knitting the top and bottom of the foot portion between the points 87 and 88 the No. 1 and No. 2 yarn-carriers will be used alternately, thus knitting a sutured fabric, the No.- 2 yarn being of a different grade or quality from the No. 1 yarn; for example, in knitting a silk stocking the No. 2 yarn would be silk. The heel pocket, that is, between the points 89 and 91 will be kni.'J with the No. 1 yarn in the usual manner. Following this the No. 3 yarn-carrier will be brought into action alternately with the No. 2 yarn-carrier for knitting the portion of a stocking known as the high splice up to the point 92. lThe No. 3 yarn may be either a heavy silk or an admixture of silk and cotton so as to give more durable wearing quality at this portion and yet present the same silky appearance as the leg portion of the stocking. The major portion of the stocking is then knit with the No. 2 yarn by round-and-round knitting, in this instance, the stocking being fashioned 4in the knitting. This knitting is carried to any. suitable length, such as to the point 93, when the No. 4 yarn-carrier is brought into action. This yarn-carrier is generally for cotton yarn and knits what is known as a garter or boot top. It is expressly understood that the foregoing is merely for the purpose of illustrating one method of knitting with my present improvements, which manifestly may be used for knitting many different fabrics.

Referring now to the`knittingA of the sutured portion of the stocking in the particular example just described, that is, from the point 87 through. to the point 92, excepting the heel pocket, it may be assumed for the purpose of the present invention that the suture per se may be of any suitable or preferred construction. Inother words, -the present invention has to do with the knitting of any sutured fabric and the control of the yarn. In my co-pending application Serial No. 147,673, filed November 11, 1926, I have disclosed mechanism including the mechanism disclosed herein for knitting a preferred suture and-:reference may be had Vto that application for an understanding of at least one form of suture knitting.

While the No. 1 yarn is being employed in reund-and-round knitting of the toe the remainingyarns Nos. 2, 3 and 4 will emanate from the needle bed at the points 68 (Fig. 5), the No. 2 yarn (designated (above by 84) being held by the supplemental holding element 75, and the Nos. 3 and 4 yarns (the former being indicated above by 63) being held by the primary holding element 66 and extending around the transfer device to their respective yarn-carriers, these yarns being further guided in the recesses flanking the sides of the distributor eye noses of the preceding yarn-carriers.

After the toe has been completed the transfer'carriage will oscillate one position in a clockwise direction, viewing Figs. 4 and 8, thus moving the No. 2 yarn-carrier to the active position shown in Fig. 8. .At the initial transfer movement the No. 1 yarn will be engaged in the primary holding element67 and subsequently the cam 77 will depress the primary yarn-holding elements from their normal position as above described, in which position they will be held while the N o. 2 yarn-carrier is in the active position.

From this point on the actual knitting of the sutured fabric with the Nos. 1 and 2 yarn-carriers and the 2 and 3 yarn-carriers will be better understood by reference to Fig. 9 which shows diagrammatically a plan of the front bed of-needles designated by 4A-B and the back bed by C-fD, also the location of the suture point 83 and the yarnretaining elements 85 and 86. Ordinary round-and-round knitting is from A to B, termed the forward stroke on the front bed, and from C to D, the backward stroke on the back bed.

On the first forwardstroke of the No. 2 yarn-carrier from its said active position on the transfer carriage its yarn will be knit 'by the needles on the front bed from the suture point 83 to B and on the backward stroke on the back bed from C to 83, then on the next forward stroke on the back bed from 83 to C and on the backward stroke on the front bed from B to 83. It will be understood that during this knitting the needles from A and D to 83 are held out of action by the pattern mechanism which forms n'o pa'rt of the present invention. At the end of this backward stroke the trans'- fer carriage will shift one position in a counter-clockwise direction, thus carrying the No. 2 yarn clear of the depressed primary yarnholding elements and into the supplemental yarn-holding element 75, and returning the No. 1 yarn to the active position. Atthis stage in the knitting the Nos. 1 and 2 yarns, 62 and 84 respectively, are as shown in Fig. 3. On the next forward stroke the hooked fiinger 81 which precedes the No. 1 yarncarrier will draw the yarn 84 back of the yarn-retainer 85 so that this yarn will be held at one side of the throat as described above. The No. 1 yarn on this forward stroke will knit on the front bed from A to the suture point 83, then on the backward stroke on the front bed from said point 83 togA, then on the next succeeding forwardv yarn-carrier into the active position. This' cycle will then be repeated until the end of the split sole portion designated by 88 1s reached.

The heel pocket from 89 to 91 will next be` knit in the -usual manner by the No. l yarn-carrier, and at the finish the transfer carriage will oscillate in ao clockwise direction so as to return the No. 2 yarn-carrier to the active position.

The high splice from 91 to 92 will now be knit by alternating operation of the Nos. 2

and 3 yarn-carriers. The first operation in this particular example is to knit with the No. 2 yarn on the forward'stroke on the front bed from 83 to B andthen on the backward stroke on the back bed from C to 83. At the end of this backward stroke the transfer carriage will shift one position in a clockwise direction to bring the N o. 3d

yarn-carrier into the active position. At the initial part of `this ltransfer operation the No. 2 yarn will clear the primary yarnhooking elements which are held in the down position by the cam 77 `and will be .caught by the supplemental .yarn-holding element 76, thus drawing the No. 2 yarn (84) across the path of the hooked linger v 82 so that on the next forward stroke said hooked finger will draw thisyarn behind .l the retainin element 86 to retain it at the back side o the throat. On` this forward stroke the N o. 3 yarn knits on the backbed from D to 83, then on the backward stroke on the back bed from 83 to D, then on the forward stroke on the` front bed-from A to 83, and finally on the backward stroke on the front bed from 83 to A. At the end of this backward'stroke the transfer carriage shifts one position in a .counterclockwise direction to bring the No. 2 yarncarrier into the active position. At the be- V ginning of this transfer operation the No.

to B, and finally on-the backward stroke on the back vbed from C to '83. 'At the end of vthis backward stroke the transfer carriage will shift againl one position in a clockwise direction, thus returning the No. 3 yarncarrier to the active position. The cycle just described will be repeated until the high splice is finished.

Following this the leg portion and-the garter top will be knit by roundand round knitting with the N os. 2 and 4 yarns, respectively. The functioning of the yarn-holding elements during the knitting of these two portions of the fabric will be manifest from the s foregoing description.

After completing the knitting of a stroke the last yarn carrier inoperation is moved onto a rail on the transfer carriage and shifted thereby to aninactive position. During the following stroke of the head 42 away from the transfer carriage lthe needles of both banks will be projected and in the absence of yarn being fed to suchneedles the latches will be closed so as to'permit withdrawal of the needles through the loops, thereby casting or shedding offl the loops and thus discharglng the stocking.

It should be understood that the foregoing illustrates merely. a single embodiment vof my invention and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as eX- pressed in. the appendedclaimsfin whichtive position of the transfer device movable into and outl of the path of a yarn being transferred from said position for retaining said yarn from interference with the yarn of an actlve yarn carrler.

2. In a straight knitting machine, in com- -A bination with the needles and a transfer device, of yarn holding means beneath the active position of the transfer device movable into and out of the path of a yarn being transferred from said position for retaining said yarn from interference with the yarn of an active yarn 1 carrier, and supplemental yarn holding means adapted for intercepting and holding another said active position.

3. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with lthe needles and a transfer de-V vice, of yarn holding means beneath the active position of the transfer device movable intov and out of the path of a yarnbeing transferred from said position, and means for automatically Imoving said yarn holding means at predetermined times.

4. In a straight'knitting machine, in combination with the needles and a transfer: device, of yarn holding means beneath the active position of the transfer device lmovable into and out of the path of a yarr being transferred from said position, and means actuated by the transfer device for moving said yarn holding means at predetermined times.

5. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with a transfer device adapted to carry a `plurality of yarn-carriers and to move each to an active position from which it may be moved into action, of yarn holding means adapted for holding one or more yarns from inactive yarn-carriers and mounted with capacity to be moved into and out of ayarn engaging position.

6. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with a transfer device adapted to carry a plurality o f yarn-carriers and to move each to an active position from which it may be moved into action, of yarn holding means movable into and out of the path of yarn being transferred by said device.

7. In a straight knitting machine of the character described, in combination with a plurality of yarn-carriers and a transfer device, of yarn holding means movable into and out of the path of yarn from a yarncarrier being transferred by said device, whereby when located in said path to engage and hold said yarn and to allow when away from said path unrestricted passage of the yarn being transferred, and supplemental yarn holding means adapted to engage and hold the last mentioned yarn.

8. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds of needles defining a throat, a plurality of yarn-carriers, a transfer device adapted to move any yarncarrier to an active position in alignment with said throat, means for reciprocating said active yarn-carrier across the needles, and means substantially in alignment with said throat at the transfer end of the machine for normally holding a yarn or yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out of the path of the active yarn-carrier and being capable of movement away from its normal position without releasing its held yarn or yarns, said yarn holding means by such movement being carried out of the path of a yarn being transferred by the transfer device.

9. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, the needles, a yarn-carrier rail adapted to be supported in a stationary position above the needles, a plurality of supplemental yarn-carrier rails forming part of a transfer device, a yarn-carrier adapted to be supported on each supplemental rail, means for operating said transfer device to causer each supplemental rail to be respectively positioned in registration with the stationary rail, means for moving the yarn-carrier from its supplemental rail at said position onto the stationary rail on which it is adapted to be reciprocated, means for holding yarn from one or more of the yarn-carriers on` the transferdevice out of the path of a yarncarrier in said active, position, and means whereby said transfer device will at a predetermined time automatically displace said. yarn holding means from its normal operative position.

10. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with a plurality of yarn-carriers and a transfer device adapted to move each yarn-carrier in predetermined order to an active position from which it may be moved into action, of means adapted for holding one or more yarns from theyarncarriers on the transfer device out of the `path of the yarn-carrier in said active position, and means whereby said yarn holding means may be displaced from its normal operative position so as to be out of the path of a yarn being transferred from said active position.

1l. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with a plurality of yarn-carriers and a transfer device adapted to movev each yarn-carrier in predetermined order to an active position from which it may be moved into action, of means adapted for holding one or more yarns from the yarn-carriers on the transfer device out of the path of the yarn-carrier in said active position, means whereby said yarn holding means may be displaced froml its normal operative position so as to be out of the path of a yarn being transferred from said active position, and supplemental yarn holdin means adapted for engaging and holdlng said transferred yarn.

l2. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with a plurality of yarn-carriers and a transfer device adapted to move each yarn-carrier in predetermined order to an active position from which it ma be moved into action, of means adapted or holdingone or more yarns from the yarn-carriers on the transfer device out of the path of the yarn-carrier in said active position, and means actuated by the transfer device for moving said yarn holding means away from Vits normal operative position.

13. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with a plurality of yarn-carriers anda transfer device adapted to move each yarn-carrier in predetermined order to an active position, of means adapted for holding yarns from inactive yarn-carriers, and means for automatically moving at a predetermined time said yarn holding means away from its said normal operative position.

14. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds of'needles deiining-a throat, a plurality of yarn-carriers, a transfer device adapted to move any yarncarrier to an active position in alignment with said throat, means for reciprocating said active yarn-carrier across the needles, and means substantially in alignment with said throat at the transfer end of theJ machine for normally holding a yarn or yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out of the path of the active yarn-carrier and being capable i of movement from its normal position away from the path of a determined yarn when changed by the transfer a transfer device adapted to move any yarncarrier to an active position in alignment with said throat, means for reciprocating said active yarn-carrier across the needles, and means substantially in alignment with said throat atl the transfer end of the machine for normally holdingv a yarn or yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out of the path of the active yarn-carrier and being capable of movement from its normal position away from the path of a determined .yarn when-it is being changed by the transfer device, and other means for holding said determined yarn out of the patlr of the activeyarn-carrier.

16. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds of needles defining a throat, a plurality of yarn-carriers, a transfer device adapted to move any yarncarrier to an active positionin alignment with said throat from which position it may be moved into action, means for reciprocating said active yarn-carrier, and yarn holding means including primary holding elements adapted for holdin yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out o the path of the active yarn-carrier, said yarn holding means also including supplemental holding elements, each adapted for holding a -arn' from-a certain other yarn-carrier out'o the path of the active yarn-carrier.

17. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds ofP needles defining a throat, a plurality of yarn-carriers, a

transfer device adapted to move any yarncarrier to an active pos1t1on-1n alignment with said throat from which position it may Y be moved into action, means for reciprocating said active yarn-carrier, yarn holding means including primary'holding elements adapted for holding yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out of the path of the active yarn-carrier and supplemental holding elements each adapted for holding a yarn from a certain other yarn-carrier out of the path of the active yarn-carrier, and means for shifting the position of -certain of said yarn holding elements. f

18. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds of needles defining a throat, a plurality of yarn-carriers, a transfer-device adapted to move any yarncarrier to an active position in alignment with said throat from which position it may be moved into action, means for reciprocating lsaid active yarn-carrier, yarn holding means including primary holding elements adapted for holding yarns from inactive yarn-carriers .out of the path of the active yarn-carrier, said yarn holding means also includingk supplemental `holding elements each adapted for holding a yarn from a certain other yarn-carrier out of the path of the active yarn-carrier, and means for shifting the position of said primary holding elements. Y

19. In a straight knittin .machine, in combination, opposed beds o needles defining a throat, a' plurality of yarn-carriers, a transfer device adapted to move any yarncarrier to an active position in alignment with 'said throat from which position it may be moved into action, means for reciprocating said active yarn-carrier, yarn holding means including primary holding elements adapted for holding yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out of the path of the active yarn-carrier, and supplemental holding elements each adapted for holding a yarn from a certain other yarn-carrier out of the path of the active yarn-carrier, and means for shifting the position of said primary holding elements at a determined time in the operation of said transfer device wheneby to withdraw its holding elements from the path of a yarn-carrier being transferred and whereby the 'latter yarn will be engaged and held by one of the supplemental yarn holding elements.

20. 'In a, straight knitting machine, in combination, yarn-carriers, a transfer device adapted to shift each yarn-carrier to and from an active position, and yarn holding means including a primary and a supplemental Aholding element, the primary hold- 'ing element being located in proximity to the active yarn-carrier and in the path of its yarn so as to engage and hold such yarn when its yarn-carrier is shifted to an inactive position, said primary holding ele ment being movable 'away from such normal position without releasing the yarn held thereby, thek supplemental holding element being located remote from said primary ipo holding element and in a position to engage active position, and supplemental yarn hold-A ing means adapted for holding the'yarn from another of the yarn-carriers whose yarn emanates from a suture point in the bed.

23. In a straight knitting machine, inA

combination, opposed beds of needles defi-ning a throat, a transfer device adapted for moving yarn-carriers in predetermined order respectively to an active position, primary yarn holding elements for holding yarns from one or more of the yarn-carriers away from the yarn-carrier at the active position, supplemental yarn holding means adapted for holding the yarn from another of the yarn-carriers whose yarn emanates from a suturepoint in the knitting, a stationary yarn-carrier rail above the needles, means for reciprocating each yarn-carrier in action on said stationary rail, including a driver head on the rail, and a depending nger carried by said driver head and adapted to intercept said yarn emanating from the suture point and to withdraw it toward one side of the throat.

u 24. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds of needles defining a throat, a transfer device adapted for moving yarn-carriers in predetermined order respectively to an active position, primary yarn holding elements for holding yarns from one or more of the yarn-carriers away from the yarn-carrier at the active position, supplemental yarn holding means adapted for holding the yarn from another of the yarn-carriers whose yarn emanates from a suture point in the knitting, a stationary yarn-carrier rail above the needles, means for reciprocating each yarn-carrier in action on said stationary rail, including a driver head on the rail, a depending finger carried by said driver head and adapted to intercept said yarn. emanating from said suture point and to withdraw it toward one Side of the throat, and means providing a yarn-retaining groove at said side of the throat into which said yarn will be drawn by said finger.

25. In a straight knit-ting machine, in combination with the needles and a transfer device, of means providing a yarn-retaining groove at one side of the needle throat eX- tending from a suture point toward the transfer end of the machine, primary yarn holding means for holding a Vyarn from a yarn-carrier on the transfer device at either the active or inactive position, supplemental yarn holding means for holding a yarn from a yarn-carrier on the transfer device at an inactive position whose yarn emanates from said suture point and crosses said retaining groove, and means for drawing the, last mentioned yarn into said retaining groove.

26. In a vstraight knitting machine, in combination with the needles and a transfer device, of means providing a yarn-retaining groove at each side of the needles throat extending from a suture point toward the transfer end of the machine, primary yarn holding means located below the active position of the transfer device and adapted for engaging and holding one or more yarns from yarn-carriers transferred from said active position toward either side, a supplemental yarn holding element at each side of said throat adapted for 'engaging and holding a yarn from a yarn-carrier transferred-'from either side of said active position whose yarn emanates from said suture point and crosses said retaining groove at one side or the other of said throat, and means for drawing the last mentioned yarn into the adjacent yarn-retaining groove.

`27. In a straight knittin machine, in combination, opposed beds o needles delining a throat, a yarn-carrier rail supported in a stationary position above the throat, a yarn-carrier adapted to be reciprocated l'on said rail, a driver head on said rail adapted for reciprocating said yarn-carrier, a yarn-retaining element at one side of said throat extending from a suture point longitudinally of the throat, means for holding a yarn emanating from said suture point, and a finger carried by said driver head adapted to engage said yarn and draw it behind said yarn-retaining element.

28. In a straight knittin machine, in combination, opposed beds o needles defining a throat, a stationary rail supported abovethe needles, a yarn-carrier slide adapted to be reciprocated on said rail, av driver head on said rail adapted for reciprocating said yarn-carrier slide, and a depending hooked finger on the driver head adaptedc for engaging a yarn emanating from a suture point and withdrawing it to a determined position at one side of the throat. l

29. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with the needles and a transfer device, of primary yarn holding elements adapted for holding yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out of the path of the active yarn-carrier, supplemental yarn holding elements, each adapted for holding a suture yarn from a certain other yarn-carrier out of the path of said active yarn-carrier, a yarnretaining element adapted for holding said suture yarn at one side of the throat, and

means forvdrawing the last mentioned yarn into holding engagement with said yarnretaining element.

30. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with the needles and a transfer device, of primary yarn holding elements adapted for holding yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out of the path of the active yarn-carrier, supplemental yarn holding elements, each adapted for holding a suture yarn from a certain other yarn-carrier out of the path of said active yarn-carrier, a yarn-retaining element adapted for holding said suture yarn at one side of the throat, means for drawing the last mentioned yarn into holding engagement'with said yarn-retaining element, and means adapted to be operated at predetermined times in synchronism with the transfer device for moving said primary holding elements into and out of the path of yarn being transferred from said active position.

31. In a. straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds of needles defining a throat, yarn-carriers, a transfer device, a yarn-retaining element positioned above and` in close proximity to each bed of needles extending from a suture point toward the transfer end, a stationary rail above the needles beds, the transfer device having a supplemental rail for each yarn-carrier and adapted for positioning it in alignment with said stationary rail, means for moving each 'yarn-carrier from its supplemental rail onto the stationary rail When in alignment therewith and for reciprocating the yarn-carrier on said stationary rail, yarn holding means adapted for holding yarns` from inactive yarn-carriers out ofthe path of the active yarn-carrier including holding elements in cooperative relation with said retaining elements for holding a yarn emanating from Said suture point so that said yarn will cross one of said retaining elements, and means moving with the active yarn-carrier adapted to engage the last-mentioned held yarn and to draw it behind the adjacent yarn-retaining element so that it will be held thereby out of the throat.

32. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, opposed beds of needles defining a throat, yarn-carriers, a transfer device, a yarn-retaining element positioned above and in close proximity to each bed of needles extending from a suture point toward the transfer end, a stationary rail above the needle beds, the transfer device having a supplemental rail for each yarn-carrier and adapted for positioning it in alignment with said stationary rail, means for moving each yarn-carrierv from its supplemental rail onto the stationary rail When in alignment therewith and for reciprocating the yarn-carrier on said stationary rail, yarn holding means adapted for holding yarns from inactive yarn-carriers out ofthe path of the active yarn-carrier including holding elements in cooperative relation With said retaining elements for holding a yarn emanating from said suture point so that said yarn Will cross one of saidretaining elements, and means moving with the active yarn-carrier having a separate mountlng on the stationary rail and adapted to engage the lastm mentioned held yarn and to draw it behind the adjacent yarn-retaining element so that it will be held thereby out of the throat.-

In witness ofthe foregoing I' afIix my signature.

WALTER F. RoLsiToN'. 

